Japanese trade minister highlights joint Kazakhstan uranium projects

/INTERFAX-AFI, Tokyo, November 22, 05/ - Tosihiro Nikai, Japanese trade minister called "necessary" creation of joint uranium projects of Japan and Kazakhstan, Bloomberg agency informed. At present time Kazakhstan by volumes of uranium reserves occupies the third place in the world, whereas Japan is on the third place by volumes of atomic electrical energy output. On Monday representatives of Japan and Kazakhstan decided to negotiate about development of uranium fields and development of research projects on the territory of Kazakhstan. "This is the first step to collaboration in uranium field between our countries, - Japanese minister announced. - We came to conclusion that joint projects are necessary". State atomic company of Kazakhstan Kazatomprom intends to focus at nuclear fuel markets of Japan, China and South Korea. According to Mukhtar Dzhakishev, the company's head, Kazatomprom plans to create joint enterprises with Japanese Sumitomo Corp. and Kansai Electric Power Co. As M.Dzhakishev considers, establishment of connections with Japanese companies may give access to their technologies and markets. Kazatomprom also is in negotiations stage with Chinese China National Nuclear Corp. and interested in collaboration with South Korean Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. and Korea Resources Corp. [2005-11-22]